The McCall Foundation: The Carnes Weeks Center

The Basics

Founded in 1980, The McCall Foundation is an organization with several recovery outlets, including transitional care, outpatient services and prevention programs. Including in these rehabilitative resources is The Carnes Weeks Center, a residential facility located on The Foundation’s main campus in Torrington, Connecticut, which is part of the New York metropolitan area.

Accommodations and Food

The Carnes Weeks Center is a stately looking residential building with an elongated porch trimmed in short pillars. Inside is the aptly named Great Room, its high ceilings and southwest-styled chandelier enclosing a large wood-floored space furnished with an area rug, high-backed chairs and sofas. There’s also a fireplace and a piano.

This co-ed facility has 10 double occupancy bedrooms. Quarters are furnished with a large dresser, mirror and one armoire with a bar for hanging clothing articles. Men and women are kept on separate floors and each floor has two bathrooms, one single and one with multiple stalls. One of the women’s rooms has an en suite bathroom, available on a first come, first serve basis. The women’s floor has a TV room available after 6 pm and clients can use computers for research.

Residents enjoy meals like pancakes, eggs, muffins and cereal for breakfast. Lunch items include pizza and an array of sandwiches. For dinner, clients feast on items including chicken and rice, quesadillas and cheeseburgers and all dinners are accompanied by a vegetable and side salad. Should residents have dietary restrictions, the Carnes Weeks chef accommodates their needs. Caffeine is limited and no candy is allowed. Snacks include fruit, peanut butter & crackers, cake, pie and ice cream.

Treatment and Staff

The Carnes Weeks Center facilitates a 28-day post-detox, 12-step oriented program. On-site NA/AA meetings are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but clients are not mandated to attend. In addition to weekly one-on-one sessions, residents are expected to go to seven groups per day. Groups are based on CBT and DBT with a focus on education about triggers, emotions and coping skills. Additionally, trauma-informed care and PTSD groups are offered. Since Carnes Weeks is not considered a dual diagnosis facility, clients with co-occurring disorders are expected to check in with a month’s supply of medication, and any additional medical needs are taken care of at the McCall outpatient clinic next door.

Residents rise at 7 am for breakfast. Medication is distributed at 8 am and the first group session is at 8:30, with a break at 9 am. Clients have group therapy until lunch at noon. Two more groups follow lunch until dinner at 5:30 pm. There is often an AA meeting after dinner, free time and then lights out at 11 pm. No outside electronics are permitted at Carnes Weeks, but there are two pay phones. Incoming and outgoing calls are allowed between 6 and 8 am and then again from 5 to 11 pm. Visitation occurs on weekends—Saturdays between 2 and 5 pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm.

The Carnes Weeks center employs several counselors, including one CAC, one CAC/LADC, one LPC and one MSW. Treatment techs are available 24 hours a day. The staff-to-client ratio varies depending on the day and time; there can be between three and 10 clients for every staff member. While the majority of the staff members are male, there are a few female counselors as well.

Extras

For exercise, there is a volleyball court (weather permitting); there are also staff-led walks through the surrounding woods. Though there are no structured classes, clients are welcome to practice yoga or even to start an exercise group.

The family program takes place on Sunday afternoon from 1 to 2 pm. This group educates multiple families on prevention, substance abuse signs and other informative tools. If residents desire a more intimate setting with their loved ones, they can set up a time with their counselor.

After their 28 days in residence, alums stay connected by attending The Carnes Weeks Center’s Friday-night alumni meeting—which is led by an alum who shares his or her experience with the others.

In Summary

The Carnes Weeks Center is a good choice for those seeking a solidly structured day and an intense jumpstart on sobriety. There might not be a lot of time for recreational therapy, but this is evidence-based treatment in an attractive facility for a reasonable cost. Clients also have access to The McCall Foundation’s extensive resources, including outpatient services.